Green-Garden-Township-Graphic.1

Township Board Approves Budget Transfers to Fund Assessor’s Staff and Correct Rent Payment

ARTICLE SUMMARY: The Green Garden Township Board approved Resolution 2025-005, which reallocates a total of $25,200 within the town fund to provide necessary staffing funds for the assessor’s office and to correct a budgetary line item for office rent.


Key Points:

  • The board transferred $12,600 from the “Town Hall Improvements” line item to the assessor’s “Staff” line item to fund a new employee.

  • A second transfer moved $12,600 from the “Assessors Office Rent” line item to a “Contractual Services” line item, clarifying that the township, not the assessor, holds the lease.

  • Assessor Jane Bushong stated the additional staff funding was critical to handle the office’s workload, which includes reassessing 4,000 parcels every four years and managing a high volume of resident inquiries.

  • The transfers do not increase the township’s overall budget or provide a salary raise for the assessor.

GREEN GARDEN – The Green Garden Township Board unanimously approved a pair of budget transfers on Monday to bolster the assessor’s office staff and align its rental payments with the proper budgetary line item.

The board passed Resolution 2025-005, which authorizes two significant transfers within the 2025-2026 town fund. The first moves $12,600 from the “Town Hall Improvements” expense line to the assessor’s staff salary budget. The second shifts $12,600, designated for the assessor’s office rent, into the township’s “Contractual Services” fund.

Supervisor Dean Christofilos explained the transfers were necessary for operational stability and proper accounting. The funds for staffing will support a recently hired employee, Helen Selzer, ensuring the assessor’s office can manage its duties without interruption.

“Without any additional funding, about two more months it’ll it would be out,” Christofilos said of the existing staff budget. “In order to fund the assessor’s office properly and so that the assessor’s office could do the work on our behalf for our township, we want to transfer that.”

He clarified the money is for staff pay and is not a salary increase for Assessor Jane Bushong.

The rent transfer corrects a procedural issue. The lease for the assessor’s office space is held by the township, not the assessor’s office directly. Moving the expense to “Contractual Services” places the responsibility under the township’s general budget, which officials said is the appropriate location.

During discussion, Bushong highlighted the need for adequate staffing. She noted her office is responsible for reassessing all 4,000 township parcels on a four-year cycle, processing new construction, and handling a surge of resident inquiries following the recent application of a 6% county-wide assessment multiplier.

“When we don’t pay attention to every property and equalize every property effectively, the distribution of that inequality gets spread out across every [taxpayer],” Bushong said, explaining that understaffing can lead to higher multipliers and more tax appeals.

The resolution was approved with a 3-0 vote. Trustees Ralph Deetz and Wesley Shepherd voted yes, along with Supervisor Christofilos. Trustee Monroe Striggow abstained, citing a conflict of interest as the owner of the building where the assessor’s office is located.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Mokena Park District.logo.graphic.1

Mokena Park District Approves $7.9 Million Budget, Eyes Major Park Upgrades

The Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners has tentatively approved a $7.9 million budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, a plan that earmarks significant funds for major park infrastructure...
Mokena Park District.logo.graphic.5

Mokena Park District Overhauls Safety Policies, Adopts Cyber Attack Response Plan

In a move to bolster security and protect participants, the Mokena Community Park District Board of Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a sweeping update to its personnel policies, establishing new...
Mokena Park District.logo.graphic.1

Mokena Park District Bids Farewell to 12-Year Fitness Manager Rachel Bauer

The Mokena Park District is bidding farewell to Rachel Bauer, the longtime Manager of Fitness Center Operations at The Oaks, who is leaving after nearly 12 years of service. Bauer’s...
Mokena Park District.logo.graphic.1

New HVAC, Bleachers, and Lighting Among Recent Park District Upgrades

Visitors to Mokena Park District facilities are being greeted by a series of recent upgrades, including a new high-efficiency HVAC system, state-of-the-art lighting at the Yunker Park Bandshell, and new...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Mokena Park District Board of Commissioners for July 25, 2023

The Mokena Park District Board of Commissioners met on July 25 to discuss upcoming events, review new policies, and approve the tentative budget for the new fiscal year. The board...
Ad-Hock-July-22nd

Will County Committee Forwards Overhauled Purchasing Code Amid Debate on Local Contractor Preference

The Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee advanced a major overhaul of the county's purchasing code Tuesday, but only after a split vote and a pointed debate over a separate,...
Ad-Hock-July-22nd

Finance Officials Clarify How Will County Tracks Assets, From Vehicles to Desks

Will County finance officials on Tuesday detailed the policies governing how the county tracks its physical and digital assets, explaining the $5,000 threshold for items that are formally capitalized and...
Ad-Hock-July-22nd

Will County Treasurer Confirms Free Online Tax Payment Option, Warns Against High Credit Card Fees

Will County Treasurer Tim Brophy confirmed Tuesday that property owners have a free online payment option available and advised residents to avoid the high convenience fees associated with using credit...
Ad-Hock-July-22nd

Committee Highlights ‘Lack of Teeth’ in County Code Enforcement Process

While the Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee quickly approved minor updates to its administrative adjudication ordinance Tuesday, the action sparked a broader discussion about resident frustration over the enforcement...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Will County Ad-Hoc Ordinance Review Committee for July 22, 2025

AI Policy Discussion Urged: Chair Jackie Triner called for the county to develop a comprehensive policy on the use of Artificial Intelligence. Citing a recent conference, Triner noted the potential benefits...
New-Lenox-Village-Board.1

New Lenox’s Crossroads Sports Complex Opens to Rave Reviews, On Time and Under Budget

NEW LENOX – The newly opened Crossroads Sports Complex is already proving to be a resounding success, according to a report delivered at the New Lenox Village Board meeting on...
New-Lenox-Village-Board.4

New Lenox Waives Over $13,000 in Permit Fees for Park District, Church Projects

NEW LENOX – The New Lenox Village Board unanimously approved waiving more than $13,000 in permit and plan review fees for two significant community projects during its meeting on Monday....
New-Lenox-Police.3

New Lenox Approves Site Plan for MBPRO Truck Repair on Moni Drive

NEW LENOX – The Village Board on Monday approved site modifications for a new truck repair business, MBPRO Services, set to open at 21660 South Moni Drive. The board unanimously...
Meeting-Briefs

Meeting Summary: New Lenox Board of Trustees for July 14, 2025

The New Lenox Village Board of Trustees met Monday to approve site plans for a new business, waive fees for community projects, and hear a glowing report on the new...
WCO-PZ-July-15

Crete Township Wins Approval for New Digital Sign at Community Center

Crete Township received approval from the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday for a new digital sign at its community center, a project that required a special use...